The Key

Trapped With Someone Violent

Maybe I should accept the invitation. After all, Edward and Sarah will be there too, as well as 9 other strangers. Some part of me don't want to accept it and be trapped in a mansion with people I don't know, but there's also some part of me forcing me to do it for the sake of Sarah's sick sister, Angel. I may find the treasure, and again I might not. Angel is a good friend, especially Sarah. If I don't accept it, Angel probably wont' make it, and I... I don't have an option after all.

"The coffee here is great. Or maybe I just had a low expectation?" Sarah smiled and sipped her coffee, it is pitch black, I can't drink hot bitter coffee myself. I love this coffee shop, it has twirling wood carvings on the wall matching the ceiling from a huge red mug saying "Coffee Princes" maybe it got that title because of all the handsome waiters and staff. It's one of the most cheapest coffee shops ever, yet have great taste, we love Coffee Princes.

"You did, but that doesn't connect with the nice mix of the coffee," I say, and stir my own drink, it made a clinking sound, and my favorite instrumental song got launched. "Maybe this will be the last happy, nervous-free day of my life." It was supposed to be a joke, but then it didn't.

"Come on, An. It's not like it's a suicide mission or something," She made a short laugh which made me think again that what I said was really a joke, "You just have to find a key, and with it are gold." She turns to the bright window, on her left - which, is showing Conching street - then looks back at me, "And Angel's life."

We sat in silence. Then Edward came near, holding a plate of, I think cookies (By the way I smell it). The sight is unusual, Sarah mostly gets the snacks. "Dig in." He says, I smile, not because of the cookies, because he broke the silence that can mean anything, I don't want Sarah to get mad at me, I realize. "So we'll be stuck in there forever," I tried to stop myself from saying it.

"Something related to that," Edward huffs and takes a cookie.

Sarah gets one, too. She doesn't seem mad, I sigh silently in relief. "Guys, we can make a plan. We have the advantage, unlike any of those wierdo strangers. We're three, we can help each other and we'll win." She bites in her cookie again.

I take one. "So... Plan?" I ask. The cookie tastes good, as usual. Like Edward's grandma's, too bad she passed away months ago.

"We'll think about that soon. But first, we have to find a meeting place, then pretend we don't know each other," she eats the last cookie, "Easy enough?" Of course not, we still have to make a plan. And we're not spies who can easily blend in the crowd as someone. Of course I know there will be conflict. I'll be prepared. I wish.

We followed the street walk towards... "Winebane Mansion" while walking, we realized the ground transforms from smooth stones to a rough rocks that looks ancient. Forest trees surrounds us, different birds chirp around. I close my eyes for a minute and concentrated, feeling the fresh air, the heat of the sun blocked by few leaves, and the peace of the birds.

I open my eyes. I am ready for conflict. To avoid regretting something, always think you did your best. That always shields me from regrets.

10 pair of eyes stared at me. They sit on leather sofas, unmoving. Maybe they are nervous and have nothing to stare on, or maybe I am late. I walk towards them, my steps slightly echoing from the floor boards. I sit next next to a girl with black hair, she looks like my age, 19 maybe, I can't see her face, she doesn't turn to look at me, so I stop staring and look at the coffee table in front of us instead.

The next minutes are complete silence. I feel my heart ramming in my chest, I count every beat. Then I realize something, there are 11 people here, including me but only 12 are invited, Sarah and Edward will be here soon, doesn't make us.. 13?

The wooden door opens and Edward walks in. He sits beside a man with short hair, who is beside me, he doesn't look familiar. I look around, pretending to be amused by the mansion, and realizing that there is no other room in this story, but I am looking and studying the people near me, but I'm not familiar with them. Sarah's right, we do have an advantage, but how would she know that all the other guests will be strangers? And then a disturbing thought passed me, we forgot to have a plan.

And then Sarah arrived, and every eye traveled to her like when I entered. Someone stood up and walked towards our center. He has short brown hair, like Edward. "Welcome to Winebane Mansion, my name is Gilbert," He starts, "I know all of you already know what to do," He nods. I only know LITTLE! "So I'm going to explain everything. The door is locked," He goes to the tall wooden door and puts a chain on the two handles together, then goes back to the center, "There is a treasure somewhere in this mansion, and it comes with the key. There are three cabinets with stored food and water on the second story. If someone doesn't find the key, and all food is lost, you will starve." He narrows his eyes, "Unless you have secretly stored food in your bag, which is NOT allowed, you might survive. But if a camera gets you, you day will come faster." He shouldn't talk like this, scaring the guests. "No one is allowed to befriend or much less, ally with one another, but it would be better if everyone knew your life outside the mansion. Here," He turns around and walks to a board I haven't noticed before, he nods to it and puts a hand under it, "You'll know about your fellow guests." Then he walks toward the black and elegant staircase, but stops and turns around. "Any more questions?" He asked. Someone, a girl with dyed pink hair who looked like a goth once, raised her long hand, "Where will you go?" She slightly smirked (.... :) ) as she asked Gilbert, who doesn't look teased or anything at all, "Outside, by a passage. Is that the last question?" Another one raises his hand, Edward. "Where are the cameras?" He said. I looked at him strangely, LIKE IF HE'S GOING TO TELL. "Everywhere, except the bathroom, of course. But every bathroom have GREAT recorders. Is that the last question?" No one answers. Gilbert nods and climbs up the stairs with yellow and black planks. After his face disappears, I thought I heard him mutter "WELL." Everyone doesn't move at first, then someone stands up and looks at the Guest Board. Others go upstairs, including Sarah. Edward still sits. I still sit. Looks like we can't meet up and every "It's okay" by Sarah didn't really matter.